This Is a Working Agreement, Based on Discussions Between

FORMATION & MINISTRY TEAM

(READERS)

Parish/Benefice of ……………………………………………….

This is a Working Agreement, based on discussions between

……………………………………………………… Vicar/Rector/Priest in Charge

……………………………………………………… Reader

Reader Ministry is a vocation before God and carries significant responsibilities of service to the people of God. A Reader is a member of a team with her/his incumbent or Priest-in-Charge and any other ministers within the parish/benefice. As such the relationship between Reader and Incumbent/Priest-in-Charge is an important one based on trust, openness and mutual accountability. It is, therefore, appropriate that the Reader’s contribution to the ministry of the parish/benefice is carefully thought through.

A Reader’s ministry also extends to all other parts of his or her life and work in the world throughout the week, wherever that might be. The Readers own ministerial and spiritual development should be kept under review. Time for prayer, study, and personal reflection must not be squeezed out by parish duties.

A working agreement is an aid to this so that working patterns and areas of particular responsibility can be agreed and reviewed. Having an agreement does not imply that the nature of a Reader’s ministry is fixed, but accepts that there will be a degree of fluidity as a person’s ministry develops and personal circumstances change.

The agreement assumes the highest degree of trust and confidentiality within a team of ministers and aims to ensure that the ministry of the individual and the benefice as a whole is continually developing.

Readers should attend at least one training event each year.

All licensed ministers are required to have the appropriate enhanced CRB disclosure and to keep up to date in current good practice on safeguarding issues.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

What other significant responsibilities does the Reader have outside her/his ministry?

Are there family or work commitments which may constrain the Reader’s availability for ministry?

PUBLIC WORSHIP AND MINISTRY

How often, and at which services, will the Reader preach and/or lead, each month?

A note should be made of the frequency of preaching on ordinary Sundays and during particular seasons. Also note what other assistance the Reader gives at communion services.

Are there other services in which the Reader will be involved (e.g. Funeral, weekday services).

Does the Reader have pastoral responsibilities?

Is the Reader involved in other areas of public ministry? (e.g. Bible study groups, children's/school work, baptism/wedding/confirmation preparation, ecumenical involvement).

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Attendance at public worship and pattern of private worship and prayer. (Comment on the expected balance for the Reader between attending rather than leading services – I.e. the rhythm of receiving and giving. Also details of daily devotion and other aspects of prayer, quiet days, retreats etc.).

With whom does the Reader join in prayer and/or bible study on a regular basis?

What areas of spiritual growth are currently being explored and developed?

(Those who seek to minister to others have an obligation to be aware of their own need for spiritual growth and development.)

SUPERVISION AND MEETINGS

How often, and at what times, will the Reader meet with the Incumbent to discuss the Reader's ministry and responsibilities? (This discussion should range wider than rotas, duties etc.)

What regular parish/deanery meetings will the Reader be expected attend?

What arrangements does the Reader have for reimbursement of expenses incurred through performance of their duties?

CONTINUING MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT

What CMD has the Reader undertaken in the last 2 years? (Details to be listed.)

What further training would develop the Reader’s ministry?

(Is the Reader up to date with current good practice in child/vulnerable adult safeguarding?).

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This working agreement will be reviewed as part of a Ministerial Development Review which will happen within the period of the renewal of this licence.
Signed ...... Incumbent / Priest-in-Charge
Signed ...... Reader

Date …………………………..

Reader and Incumbent should have a copy of this document, and a further copy should be sent to the Warden of Readers